Who’s Your Daddy!

Whenever you walk around Florence Italy, there are physical reminders everywhere of the legacy of the Medici family. Architecture, sculpture, commissioned art works and frescoes, and those 5-6 ball crests tacked on many buildings. One of the later Medici, Cosimo I was responsible for many “upgrades” of city property, and so you’ll see him in a number of spots around town (most notably in Piazza della Signoria atop his trusty steed).

Historians note that he was fixated on power, status and reputation, and after much political wrangling in 1570 was crowned the Grand Duke of Tuscany in Rome, which meant he could wear a crown. I came across this crowned sculpture version of Cosimo coming down the stairs in the Pitti Palace after visiting the Costume Gallery this spring. Whew! This sculpture is impressive with the Grand Ducal Crown of Tuscany almost as big as his head – no little tiara for this guy!